Template for use in the routing of workpieces

ABSTRACT

A routing template comprises a body adapted to overlie a workpiece to be routed and having an opening formed in the body for the accommodation of a routing tool. Atop the body is carried a plate having a predetermined thickness and having an opening therein of an area corresponding to the area of the workpiece to be routed, the area of the opening in the plate being no greater than that of the opening in the body and communicating with the latter. The plate may be replaced by any one of a number of other plates of different thickness and having openings of different sizes so as to vary the depth and area of the cut made in a workpiece. The body is provided with means for clamping and unclamping the body to the workpiece to be routed.

United States Patent [191 Converse et al.

TEMPLATE FOR USE IN THE ROUTING OF WORKPIECES Inventors: Gordon L.Converse, Elk Rapids;

Merle C. Mihulka, Boyne City, both of Mich.

Twin Bay Industries, Inc., Elk Rapids, Mich.

Filed: Apr. 15, 1971 Appl. No.: 134,278

Assignee:

5/1944 Ogren 12/1965 Skollerud 3,559,704 2/1971 Thompson l44/144.5

Primary ExaminerDonald R. Schran Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Learman &McCulloch [5 7] ABSTRACT A routing template comprises a body adapted tooverlie a workpiece to be routed and having an opening formed in thebody for the accommodation of a routing tool. Atop the body is carried aplate having a predetermined thickness and having an opening therein ofan area corresponding to the area of the workpiece to be routed, thearea of the opening in the plate being no greater than that of theopening in the body and communicating with the latter. The plate may bereplaced by any one of a number of other plates of different thicknessand having openings of different sizes so as to vary the depth and areaof the cut made in a workpiece. The body is provided with means forclamping and unclamping the body to the workpiece to be routed.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU 5W4 3.789.892

sum 1 OF 2 INVENTORS GORDON L. CONVERSE MERLE C. MIHULKA ATTORNEYSPATENTEDFEB 5W 3.789.892

SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTORS GORDON 1.. CONVERSE MERLE c. MIHULKA ATTORNEYSTEMPLATE FOR USE IN THE ROUTING OF WORKPIECES The invention disclosedherein relates to a template especially adapted for mounting on aworkpiece to be routed so as to enable the routing of a workpiece to apredetermined depth and shape. The template is particularly adapted forthe routing of hinge pockets and other recesses in doors and door jambs,but the template is not limited to such use.

A conventional routing tool has a motor driven, rotary cutter whichextends beyond a plate or shroud carried by the tool so as to gouge orrout a recess in a workpiece. When using such a tool, the depth of therecess depends upon the distance the rotary cutter projects beyond theplate or shroud and the area of the recess formed by the cutter dependsin large part upon the skill of the operator. An adjustment of thecutter to vary the depth of cut requires considerable skill andfrequently requires several fine adjustments, all of which consumestime. Moreover, the area of a recess routed in a workpiece without theuse of a template may require several measurements to be taken, whichalso is a time consuming process. Should a recess be formed having anarea greater than that required, an entire workpiece may be spoiled.

An object of this invention is to provide a routing template whichenables the depth to which a recess is formed in a workpiece to bedetermined quickly and precisely without adjustment of the routerscutting tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a template which enablesthe area of the recess to be routed to be determined precisely.

A further object of the invention is to provide a routing templateprovided with self-contained means for clamping and unclamping thetemplate to the workpiece to be routed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a template of thecharacter referred to having routing guides which may be substituted onefor another so as to vary the size of a recess to be formed in aworkpiece.

Another object of the invention is to provide a routing template havinga routing guide which may be secured in any one of a number of differentpositions so as to enable the specific location of a recess in aworkpiece to be varied.

e Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outspecifically or will become apparent from the following description whenit is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a routing template constructedin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the template shown in FIG. 1 with the partsassembled;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatusshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a reduced, side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of theinvention, with certain parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the modified embodiment, andillustrating a drill guide supported by the template;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the drill guide; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of FIG. 8.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 comprises a body 1 including a base 2 formed of metal or the like andhaving smooth, flat, upper and lower surfaces 3 and 4, respectively. Thebase has a slot or opening 5 so as to present a substantially U-shapedconfiguration in plan. The slot 5 extends fore and aft of the base 2 andforms a pair of parallel legs 6 and 7 joined by a web 8.

The lower surface 4 of the leg 5 has a transverse groove 9 in which issecured a block or housing 10, the lower surface of which has a groove11 transverse to the groove 9. Slidably accommodated in the groove 11 isa clamp lug 12 for a purpose presently to be explained. The leg 7 of thebase 2 includes parts identical to the parts 9 12 which are identifiedby the same reference characters, followed by the suffix a.

The body 1 also includes, preferably, a flat, plate-like wear member 13formed of metal having a greater area than that of the base 2 and beingsecured to the upper surface thereof by screws or by any otherconventional means (now shown). Although the wear plate 13 is preferredit is not an essential part of the body 1.

The plate 13 includes an opening 14 overlying the slot 5 and having thesame width as that of the slot, but the other dimension of the opening14 may be greater or less than the length of the slot 5. As shown, theopening 14 has a dimension a corresponding to the width of the slot 5and a dimension b somewhat greater than the length of the slot. The sizeof the opening 14 may be different from that shown, but in any event, itoverlies and communicates with the slot 5.

The leg 6 of the base 2 has an elongate slot 15 extending fore and aftof the leg and completely through the latter. The housing 10 has anidentical slot 16 in register with the slot 15 and the lug 12 has athreaded opening 17 which underlies the slots 15 and 16. The leg 7 hasparts corresponding exactly to the parts 15 l7 and are identified bycorresponding reference characters where practicable, followed by thesuffix a. If the wear plate 13 is utilized as part of the bodystructure, it will have slots 18 and 18a which register with the slots15 and 15a, respectively.

Means for effecting operation of the clamp lugs 12 and 12a comprisesthreaded bolts 19 and which extend through the associated slots and arethreaded into the threaded opening of the lugs 12 and 12a, respectively.Knobs 20, 20a are fixed to the bolts 19, 19a and each knob has ashouldered portion 21, 210 that is adapted to bear against the uppersurface of the base 2, or against the upper surface of the plate 13 ifthe latter is used. By rotating the bolts 19, 19a in a direction toremove them from their clamp lugs 12, 12a, the latter may movedownwardly so as to be loosened in their respective housings 10, 10awhereupon they may be slid fore and aft as shown in FIG. 4. The lugs 12may be locked in any selected position of fore and aft adjustment byrotation of the bolts 19, 19a in such direction as to be threaded intothe associated lugs. The arrangement is such that the lugs are capableof movement in two different, normal planes. Each lug also preferablyincludes an upstanding toe T at its upper,

rear end to form a fulcrum about which the lug may rock when it is inits projected position.

The apparatus includes a flat, plate-like guide member 22 having smoothupper and lower surfaces. The fore and aft dimension of the member 22preferably corresponds to that of the wear plate 13, but the transversedimension of the member 22 is such as to enable it to fit between theshouldered portions 21, 21a of the clamp bolts without interference. Themember 22 has an opening 23 therein having an area no greater than thatof the opening 14 in the wear member 13, the opening 23 being capable ofoverlying and communicating with the opening 14.

The guide member 22 is adapted to be separably assembled with the otherparts of the apparatus, but it is important that the member 22 be fixedagainst move- 1 ment relative to the other parts when the template is inuse. Accordingly, means for securing the member 22 is removable relationto the body 1 comprises a pair of spaced apart, upstanding dowels orpositioning pins 24 anchored in the base 2 and a plurality of pairs ofcorrespondingly spaced locating openings 25 in the member 22, theopenings being of such size as snugly to accommodate the pins 24. If thewear member 13 is utilized, it of course will have pin-accommodatingopenings 26 corresponding to the openings 25. Depending upon which pairof openings 25 receives the pins 24, the opening 23 will occupy aselected position of adjustment relative to the opening 14.

The disclosed guide member 22 is representative of a number of similarguide members which correspond to the member 22 except for the thicknessand the shape and area of the opening 23. Each of the other guidemembers may be substituted for the member 22 and each of the other guidemembers will have an opening similar to the opening 23 except for theshape and/or area.

To condition the apparatus for use in the routing of ahinge-accommodating pocket or recess in a workpiece W such as a doorjamb, for example, the locking lugs 12, 12a may be loosened, dropped,and slid forwardly or rearwardly so as to accommodate one edge of theworkpiece W between the lugs 12 and the lower surface of the base member2. The template structure then may be slid along the edge of theworkpiece to the desired position, whereupon the operating bolts 19, 190may be turned to effect clamping of the workpiece between the clamp lugsand the base 2. A guide plate 22 having the desired thickness and thedesired size and shape opening 23 may be positioned atop the body 1 andsecured by the pins 24. The rotary cutter of a routing tool (not shown)then may be passed through the openings 23, 14 and to rout theworkpiece. The shape and depth of the recess formed in the workpiecewill depend upon the thickness of the guide plate '22 and upon the shapeof the opening in the guide plate.

The rotary cutter of most routers is surrounded by and projects beyond ashroud which engages a workpiece. The extent to which the cutterprojects beyond the shroud thus determines the depth of the recess. Tovary the depth of the recess, the cutter must be shifted relatively tothe shroud so as to vary the extent to which it projects beyond theshroud. With apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,such adjustment of the routers cutter is not necessary.

The construction shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 comprises a body composed ofa base 31 to the upper surface of which is secured in any convenientmanner a wear plate 32, it being understood that the wear plate ispreferred, but not essential. The base 31 has a central, rectangularopening 33 therein and the wear plate 32 has a preferably identicalopening 34 in register with the opening 33. The base 31 carries a pairof upstanding pins or dowels 35 which pass through openings formed inthe wear plate 32.

A typical routing guide plate is shown at 36 and comprises a flat platehaving an opening 37 which is adapted to overlie the opening 34. Theopening 37 is disclosed as being rectangular and of lesser area thanthat of the opening 34, but it will be understood that the opening 37can be of different configuration and of any area not greater than thatof the opening 34. The guide plate 36 also is provided with a pluralityof pairs of openings 38 adapted for the removable accommodation of thepins 35. Depending upon which pair of openings 38 receive the pins, theopening 37 will occupy a selected position of adjustment relative to theopening 34.

Clamping means 39 is provided for clamping the body 30 to a workpiece Wand comprises a rigid clamp member 40 secured to the lower surface ofthe base 31 by bolts 41 or the like and having a flange 42 which dependsfrom the base 31 and is located adjacent the opening 33. The innersurface 43 of the flange 42 preferably is inclined, as is shown in FIG.6. The clamp means 39 also comprises a threaded shaft 34 accommodated ina correspondingly threaded lug 45 that is fixed to the base 31 by bolts46 or the like, the shaft 44 having an operating knob 47 fixed at oneend thereof and a bearing foot 48 rockably connected to the other endthereof and confronting the flange 42.

The apparatus is particularly adapted to serve as a routing guide forrouting a recess in an edge of a workpiece W such as a door. Tocondition the apparatus for use, the clamping means 39 is adjusted so asto clamp the body 30 on the edge of the workpiece W in the manner shownin FIG. 6. Should the clamped edge of the workpiece be beveled, as isconventional with one edge of a door, the inclination of the surface 43of the clamping flange 42 will enable the edge of the workpiece to fitflush against the lower surface of the base 31, and the rockableconnection of the shaft 44 to the foot 48 will enable the latter to fitflush against the workpiece.

When the body 30 has been clamped to the workpiece, the guide plate 36may be placed in overlying relation to the body and the pins 35 fittedin a selected pair of openings 38 so as to locate the opening 37 in thedesired relation relative to the edge of the workpiece. A routing tool(not shown) then may be introduced to the opening 37 so as to form arecess in the edge of the workpiece corresponding to the shape and areaof the opening 37.

The guide plate 36 may be removed and replaced by any one of a number ofothers having a different thickness and/or a different shape and areaopening 37 so as to form a recess in the workpiece to a desired depthand to a desired configuration.

When preparing a workpiece such as a door for installation in a doorway,one edge of the door normally must be bored to accommodate a latch bolt.Templates constructed according to the invention may be provided with adrill guide to facilitate the boring of a door.

Illustrated in FIGS. 7 9 is a drill guide 50 which may be utilized witheither of the disclosed template embodiments. The guide 50 comprises abody 51 of such size as to fit snugly, in a fore and aft direction, inthe opening 37 or, if preferred, in the opening 34. The thickness of thebody 51 corresponds to the thickness of the body 30. At the forward endof the body is a bolt or rivet 52 having a head 53 which projects beyondthe end of the body. At the rear end of the body is an opening 54 inwhich is fitted a tubular guide 55 having an axial bore 56 therein. Theguide is retained in the opening by a set screw 59.

To use the guide 50 it is fitted into the appropriate opening of thetemplate so that the head 53 bears upon the upper surface of thetemplate and the body 51 rests against the workpiece. A rotary drill(not shown) having a stop thereon then may be inserted into the bore 56to drill a hole or bore in the workpiece. The stop on the drill willengage the upper end of the guide 55 when the desired depth bore hasbeen drilled. The guide 50 is typical of many which may have bores 56 ofdifferent size to accommodate different size drills.

The disclosed embodiments are representative of presently preferredforms of the invention, but are intended to be illustrative rather thandefinitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. A template construction for use in guiding a tool in forming a recessin a workpiece, said construction comprising a base member ofpredetermined thickness having an opening therethrough; at least oneclamp lug below the lower surface of said base; means mounting saidclamp lug on said base for movement toward and away from the lowersurface of said base for clamping said base member to a workpiece to berecessed with said opening overlying said workpiece; a guide platecarried by said base member in overlying relation therewith and having asmooth upper surface for supporting such too], said guide plate having apredetermined thickness with relation to the thickness of said basemember and having an opening therein registering with the opening insaid base member, the opening in said guide plate corresponding in areaand shape to the area and shape of the recess to be formed in suchworkpiece but having no part thereof extending beyond the confines ofthe opening in said base member; positioning measn carried by said basemember; and locating means carried by said guide plate cooperable withsaid positioning means to secure said guide plate in a selected one of anumber of adjusted positions relative to said base, whereby the openingin said guide plate may be adjusted relatively to the opening in saidbase member and thereby adjust the zone at which such workpiece may berecessed 2. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said lug ismounted by its said mounting means for fore and aft movements indirections transverse to the directions of its movements toward and awayfrom the lower surface of said base member.

3. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said lug has a toe atone end thereof forming a fulcrum about which said lug may rock.

4. The construction set forth in claim 1 including a flat plate ofpredetermined thickness relative to the thickness of said base memberand interposed between said base member and said guide plate, said flatplate having an opening therein registering with the openings in saidbase member and said guide plate, the area of the opening in said guideplate being no greater than the area of the opening in said flat plate.

5. The construction set forth in claim 4 including locating meanscarried by said flat plate and cooperable with said positioning means tosecure said flat plate on said base member.

6. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said positioning meanscomprises pins projecting from the upper surface of said base member andwherein said locating means comprises openings in said guide plate forremovable accommodation of said pins.

7. The construction set forth in claim 6 wherein said guide plate hasmore pin-accommodating openings than there are pins projecting from saidbase member.

1. A template construction for use in guiding a tool in forming a recessin a workpiece, said construction comprising a base member ofpredetermined thickness having an opening therethrough; at least oneclamp lug below the lower surface of said base; means mounting saidclamp lug on said base for movement toward and away from the lowersurface of said base for clamping said base member to a workpiece to berecessed with said opening overlying said workpiece; a guide platecarried by said base member in overlying relation therewith and having asmooth upper surface for supporting such tool, said guide plate having apredetermined thickness with relation to the thickness of said basemember and having an opening therein registering with the opening insaid base member, the opening in said guide plate corresponding in areaand shape to the area and shape of the recess to be formed in suchworkpiece but having no part thereof extending beyond the confines ofthe opening in said base member; positioning measn carried by said basemember; and locating means carried by said guide plate cooperable withsaid positioning means to secure said guide plate in a selected one of anumber of adjusted positions relative to said base, whereby the openingin said guide plate may be adjusted relatively to the opening in saidbase member and thereby adjust the zone at which such workpiece may berecessed
 2. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said lug ismounted by its said mounting means for fore and aft movements indirections transverse to the directions of its movements toward and awayfrom the lower surface of said base member.
 3. The construction setforth in claim 1 wherein said lug has a toe at one end thereof forming afulcrum about which said lug may rock.
 4. The construction set forth inclaim 1 including a flat plate of predetermined thickness relative tothe thickness of said base member and interposed between said basemember and said guide plate, said flat plate having an opening thereinregistering with the openings in said base member and said guide plate,the area of the opening in said guide plate being no greater than thearea of the opening in said flat plate.
 5. The construction set forth inclaim 4 including locating means carried by said flat plate andcooperable with said positioning means to secure said flat plate on saidbase member.
 6. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein saidpositioning means comprises pins projecting from the upper surface ofsaid base member and wherein said locating means comprises openings insaid guide plate for removable accommodation of said pins.
 7. Theconstruction set forth in claim 6 wherein said guide plate has morepin-accommodating openings than there are pins projecting from said basemember.